Manjur Annamalai Murugan Temple, Nilgiris

Address

Manjur Annamalai Murugan Temple, Kil Kundah Post, Manjur, Nilgiris – 643 219 Phone: +91 423 250 9353 Mobile: +91 94423 42343

Diety

Dandayuthapani

Introduction

The Annamalai Murugan Temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan and is located in Kundah, near Ooty, in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu.

Location and Significance:

Annamalai Murugan Temple is often referred to as the “7th Hill House of the Lord.” It is situated on a hill, offering a splendid panoramic view of the surrounding region, making it a scenic and spiritually significant place.
The temple is set atop a hill, and the Peepal tree, known as Arasamaram, serves as the Thala Virutcham (a sacred tree) of the temple.

Legend of the Temple:

The temple has a unique history. A saint named Krishnan, who was born as the eighth child to a poor farming couple in Kil Kundah, was deeply devoted to Lord Murugan from a young age.
One day, Krishnan disappeared from the village and embarked on a three-year penance in Shivan Cave to have the divine darshan (vision) of Lord Murugan.
It is believed that Lord Murugan, impressed by Krishnan’s intense penance, granted him darshan and revealed that He had been present in that place from time immemorial. Lord Murugan expressed his desire to continue Annadhanam (food offering) and have a temple built in this location.
Krishnan, despite his humble means, was determined to fulfill Lord Murugan’s wish. He collected stones and, with the help of local villagers, constructed a beautiful temple for Lord Murugan in 1975 on the hilltop.

Devotees and Offerings:

Devotees visit the Annamalai Murugan Temple to seek various blessings, including wedding boons, child boons, mental peace, relief from illness, freedom from hardships, longevity, and prosperous farm yields.
Common offerings and rituals at the temple include Kavadi (a physical burden that represents the devotee’s prayer or gratitude), abisheks (ritual bathing of the deity), tonsuring (shaving one’s head), and offering milk pots.
The temple also has a shrine for Lord Vinayaga (Ganesha) at the entrance, an Annadhanam Hall for serving meals to devotees, a sanctum housing Lord Bala Dhandayuthapani (Lord Murugan), as well as shrines for Nagaraja (the Snake God) and the Navagrahas (the nine celestial bodies).
An observatory is situated near the Nagaraja shrine, adding to the unique features of the temple.

Karthigai Festival:

During the Karthigai festival, a large number of devotees visit the temple to perform special poojas and seek the blessings of Lord Murugan.
Karthigai, celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai (usually in November or December), is an important festival dedicated to Lord Murugan and is marked by the lighting of oil lamps and the display of a huge beacon on hilltops.

The Annamalai Murugan Temple is not only a place of worship but also a place of natural beauty, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscapes. Devotees visit this temple to seek blessings from Lord Murugan and participate in the various rituals and offerings available.